Neck band clamp mechanism



Oct. 8, 1946; ws

NECK BAND CLAMP MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 6, 1941 t INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS 06E. 8, 1946. V s 2,409,110

NECK BAND CLAMP MECHANISM Filed Jan. 6, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 g By @MWM I 1 Q; aria/M575,

06%. 8, 1946. E, DAVIS 2,409,110

NECK BAND CLAMP MECHANISM Filed Jan. 6, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.6.

INVENTOR 13M4Wm Oct. 8, 1946.

a. DAVIS NECK BAND CLAMP MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 6, 1941 mvmmk. W

HITURNEYS.

Patented Oct. 8, 1946 NECK BAND CLAMP MECHANISM Ernest Davis, Syracuse, N. Y., ,assignor to The Prosperity Company, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 6, 1941, Serial No. 373,257

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to garment pressing machines, and particularly to neck band clamps therefor including a clamping member movable into and out of coaction with a neck band block or form on the pressing element or table on which the garment to be ironed or pressed is laid, and has for its object a mechanism in which the neck band clamp and its carrier are released from operated position by means independent of the handle or parts to which the force is applied to shift the neck band clamp into operative position and operable preferably by the openin movement of the press, but set in position to be so operated by an additional movement of-a hanle used to shift the neck band clamp over onto the pressing element of the pressing machine.

This mechanism is usually applied to garment presses having coacting pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, the garment being laid on the latter, and the releasable locking means is released by the opening movement of the press.

It further has for its object certain features of construction hereinafter pointed out.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed,

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of pressing machine embodying this invention and showing an automatic release operated by the opening of the press.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of parts seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, showing in detail the neck band clamp mechanism in its starting position. the contiguous portion of the pressing machine being also shown.

Fi ure 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 3, parts being omitted, showing the relative osition of the carrier and neck band clamp in its first p sition out of starting osition.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fi ure 4 showing the shifting of the neck band clamp over onto the pressing element but over-reaching the neck band block or form and the radial angle of the handle when in this position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3, parts being omitted, showing the position of the carrier and neck band clamp and handle relative to the neck band block or form, when the clamping I member has been moved into coaction with the block or form, this view being taken approximately on the plane of line 6-6, Figure .8.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figures 4 and 6 showing the position of the handle after being given an additional movement, relative to the carrier and the neck band clamping member setting a releasable means which must be operated to start the handle in its retrograde movement preliminary to the carrier and clamping member moving to starting position, the locking means in Figure 7 being shown as operable by hand in contradistinction to operable by the opening of the press, as in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on line 88, Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9, Fi ure 4.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view looking downwardly in the direction of the arrow A, Figure 3.

I have here shown this neck band clamp as applied to a garment press having opening and closing movements, and closable by power applied by the operator, as through a treadle.

l designates the lower pressing table or element suitably supported on a frame 2. 3 designates the upper pressing element movable into and out of coaotion with the lower pressing element I, this being carried by a head-carrying lever or yoke 4 pivoted between its ends at 5 to' an upright or bracket 6 forming part of the frame and extending above a table top I of the pressing machine in the rear of the pressing elements I, 3. The head or up er ressing element B'may be actuated in any suitable manner. It is here shown as actuated by a foot pedal 8 pivoted at e to the frame. and motion transmitting connections between t e pedal and the rear arm of the head-carrying lever 4. The connections here shown com rise togg e links III, II pivoted together at like ends at I2 and at their opposite ends at l3, i lto the rear arm of the head-carr ing lever A and to a fixed point on the frame. Th pedal or i'readle 8 is rov ed with foll er 5-5 coac ing'with a cam slot It in an arm of the to g e link H. The t gle folds or breaks upwardly in Figure 1. When the press is open and the toggle folded. the follower is at the upper end of the cam slot 15, Upon depression of the pedal 8, the follower !5 moves along the cam slot and tends to straighten the toggle into the position shown in Figure l. and thus close the press. The closing of the press is against the action of a returning or counter spring ii. The front end of the head-carrying lever is also provided with a handle l8 which may be used to close the press or assist in the closing of the press by the pedal 8. The construction of the pressing machine and its mechanism forms no part of this invention.

The lower pressing element is usually padded. It is also provided with a neck band block or form l9 projecting above the surface thereof near one end. When a garment, as a shirt, is laid on the lower pressing element this block or form projects through the neck band of the shirt and the neck band of the shirt is clamped against the neck band form or block.

The neck band clamp mechanism includes a carrier 2| and clamping member 22, the clamping member being here shown in the form of a band or loop. It is pivoted to the carrier 2 I. The carrier 2| is mounted to shift from a starting position toward the end of the lower pressing element on which the block I9 is mounted carrying the neck band clamp as a unit therewith and then the clamping member moves on its pivot relatively to the carrier 2| into the position shown in Figure in which it over-reaches the block or form l9 and is spaced therefrom, and the carrier then makes a partial return toward its starting position bringing the clamping member into coaction with the block or form H], as shown in Figure 6. These movements are effected by a handle 23 normally arranged at a straight angle, as seen in .Figure 3, with the carrier 2| and movable into the inclined angle or position shown in Figure 5, from which position, additional force does not tend to swing the carrier 2| because of the angle, and during this movement, the handle moves into the position shown in Figures 2 or '7 and sets a releasing device through a push rod 24. The movement of the carrier from starting position is against the action of a returning spring 25, but when the clamping member 22 is in operative coaction with the block or form H), as seen in Figure 6, the carrier 2| is prevented by such coaction from return movement under the influence of the spring 25. The pivotal movement of the handle 23 is against the action of a returning spring or springs 26, 26 (see Figure 8) and the force of the spring 26 is suflicient to cause the carrier 2| and the clamping member 22 to move as a unit against the initial compressing of the returning spring 25, until the carrier 2| reaches the upright position, as shown in Figure 2, when the spring 25 is compressed to a sufficient extent to restrain further pivotal movement of the carrier 2|, whereupon the force applied to the handle 23 causes it to move on its pivot to the radial angle shown in Figure 5 and the band of the clamping member 22 to be moved into the position over-reaching the form 9, as shown in Figure 5. At this angle, the force of the spring 26 acting through the pivot on which the lever is mounted is insufiicient to oppose the re-action of the spring 25 and the spring 25 re-acts, moving the carrier, and hence the clamping member 22 into the position shown in Figure 6, where it coacts with the block or form 9. Further or additional movement of the handle lever then operates to set the release device to be hereinafter described. The carrier and the clamping member may thus be operated in a single movement of the hand to the handle, and the carrier and the clamping member first moved as a unit, and then the clamping member moved on its pivot relative to the carrier, or the force cf-the hand may be first applied to the carrier and then the hand shifted to the handle.

The carrier 2| is here shown as an arm pivoted at 28 to a suitable part of the pressing machine, as a bracket 39, and is movable toward one end of the pressing element I, that is, the end near which the neck band block or form I9 is located. The handle lever 23 is mounted on a shaft 29 rotatably mounted in a head 30 at the upper end of the carrier 2| and arranged with its axis extending horizontally crosswise of the direction of movement of the upright carrier 2| or parallel to the axis of the pivot 28.

The clamping member 22 includes a band or loop to the ends of which are secured hubs 3| mounted to rotate about the shaft 28 on opposite sides of the head 30. The spring 26 is a coiled spring coiled about the shaft 29 and anchored at one end at 35 to the head 30 and at its other end to a collar 36 keyed to the rock shaft 29. Thus, the spring 25 tends to restrain pivotal movement of the shaft 29 relative to the head 38. The spring 26 encircles the shaft 29 within one of the hubs 3| and is anchored at 34 at one end to said hub and at its other end to a collar 29 keyed to the shaft 29 and hence tends to yieldingly transmit the movement of the handle 23 and shaft 29 to the clamping member 22 and permit the additional movement of the handle to set the release mechanism.

The swinging movement of the carrier 2| is against the action of the spring 25, from the poeition shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 5. The spring 25 is here shown as a compression spring encircling a rod 3'! pivoted at one end at 38 to the bracket 39 and slidable through a block or abutment 40 on the carrier 2| near the lower end thereof, the spring 25 being located between the block 40 and the abutment 4| on the rod near the pivot 38. A buffer spring 42 surrounds the rod and acts on the other side of the block 40 opposite to the spring 25 to prevent a violent return action of the carrier 2|. The spring 25 is initially loaded to the desired extent by adjusting nuts 43 on the rod 31, so that the action of the spring 26 is initially greater than the spring 25 during the initial part of the movement of the carrier 2| from starting position to the position shown in Figure 4. When the neck band clamp mechanism is operated into final position, as shown in Figures 2, 6 or 7, the force of the spring 25 holds the parts in this position, at least while the operator has hold of the handle 23, that is, while the operator is completing .the operating movement of the handle 23 to straighten the toggle hereinafter referred to.

Means operable to quickly restore the mechanism to its starting position (Figure 3) after each operation of the pressing machine is provided, and preferably this means is operated automatically by the opening of the press (Figure 2). It may be operated, however, by hand, as shown in Figure 7. This opening means operates to release the carrier 2| and clamping member or loop 22, of the holding means, as will be presently described. While th holding means is operating, other springs as 26, 26 may re-act and move the handle 23 from the position shown in Figures-2 and '7 to that shown in Figure 6, relatively to the neck band clamp or loop 22 which is held engaged with the block L! or the interposed collar band. This means, as best seen in Figures 2, 3,4, 6 and 7, comprises a holding member which is set or operated in position by the final or additional movement of the handle lever 23 into its fully operated position (Figures 2 and '7) from the position shown in Figure 6, and after the loop of the clamping member 22 has been clampe'dl against: the neck: band i clamp or blockilB;

In the illustrated embodiment of this. invention, the holding member: comprises toggle links Q4 and 651 pivoted together at 46,.and one; at. 44, being pivoted at one end: air-47 to the. carrier 2! near the lower end; thereof, and. theother link 45 being in the form. of a pawl having its nose d8 arrangedto coa-ct with-or thrust against an abutmentAEi carried at the upper end of a lever 5i pivoted on the same" axis 23: as the carrier 2i. Movementof theilev'eri'tfi is against: the action of a spring 5|. (see. Figures 6, land. 9): surrounding a rod 52 connectedtothe'bracket 39' at one end at-ES to have aslight rocking-movement and having a clevis 54 at its other end' pivoted at 55 to the lever 5d. The spring 51 is: compressed between an abutment 56: and adjusting nuts 5! on the. rod 52. When. the toggle links and 45 are straightened into the" position shown in Figure '7 and; the spring 5 loaded or compressed to full extent, the re-action of the spring'acting through the straightened toggle on the carrier 2i, holds the clamp 22 against the-blocklS'with sufficient friction to prevent its return under any spring acting in opposition thereto as 2:5, 2& Git-and E2. Thus the spring 51 greatly augments any'efiect of the spring 25 after'the toggle links M, 45 are straightened. When the carrier 2 l and clamping member 22 have been moved to their final clampi'ng: position, shown in Figure 6, the additional movement of the handle 23 from the angle shown in'Figur'e' 6 to that shown in Figure 7, causes a roller 58' on a rock 5'9 keyed to the shaft 29 to press down on the upper. end of a ush rod 2 The lower end of this push rod 24 coacts with the-toggle link M or a roller 6 I carried thereby'to straighten the toggle from the position shown in Figure-(Ste that shown in. Figure 7, with the end 48 of the link 45 thrusting against the abutment Ell ot: the lever 59'durin the straightening movemerit,- the straightening being slightly beyond the dead center line, as seen in Figure The straightening movement'of the toggle involves a slight pivotal movement of. the toggle, as aunit, about the pivot 41 of the link M, bringing the end of the toggle link 55 againstltheshoulder 48 of the abutment 59. During the straightening of the toggle into the position shown inFigura-Lthe abutment lever 56 yields against'th'eaction of the spring at to permit the toggle to straighten.

straightening action ofthe toggleis against a returning spring 62 and also against the action of a light spring 33 surrounding the push red. 2 5. The spring? 53 may be omitted. When the toggle links are in the position shown inFigure 7, the force of the spring. 63 is insufficient to shift the pushr'od 24' from the position shown in Figure 2 orFi gure '7. The clamping member. 22. is frictionally' engaged with a neck band. of a shirt intel-posed between it and the neck band block l-Q: and the friction is suilicient to hold it in this positionagainst the reaction of the spring 5!. acting tothrust the carrier 2 l' to the left through the straightened toggle links Ml, t5 (Figure. '7). The release means is operated to break or fold the toggle from the position shown in Figure 7 to that shown in Figure 6. One of such means shown in Figure 7- consisting of a manually operated lever 64-pivoted at 65 tothe bracket 33' and having one end 66 arranged to apply an upward force to the straightened toggle to shift it out'of the position shown in Figure 7 into the folded positionshown in Figure 6, and thus push the rod 24. upward, this-push being amplified by the springs 6-2, 63.,

6 When. the toggleis so shifted to. folded. position; the carrier'Z-I is releasedof the forceof: the spring 51 and hence the holdingjfriction between the clamp or loop 22' and. the neck bandof the shirt on. the block I9" is lessened'itosuch an extent that the" spring 2%: is" free to re-act and move the :lamping member orloop'22 upward from the position shown in Figure 6 to-that shown in. Figure 4, wherein it is freeiof the. block I 9. The lever. is provided with. a knob or handle 61 and'it is merely necessary for the. operator: to strike or depress this knob orhandlathis being an easier and quicker operation than operating the. lever 23 in the reverse direction; However, preferably as best seen in Figures 1 and 2, thet'oggle'is'operated automatically by the press mechanism during: the opening of the press; This automatic press mechanism, as shown in Figures 1 and 2', consists of an air'pump, here shownas'a' cylinderand a piston H, 72' and a pressure operated device, as a diaphragm coactin through suitable connections. with the lever 7-3 corresponding to the lever 64 (Figure '7) Theoylinder H is suitably mounted at 74atoneend0n the frame of the pressing machine; and the piston rod; 75 is connected at HS to one? of the toggle links of the press mechanism; as the link H. The cylinder ll is'connected by-azsuitable'pipe TI to the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 78' suitably carried by the frame of'the pressing machine and having a diaphragm 'Hl'therein which presses against a slide or plunger 89, which in turn tmusts against lever '13: When the press is closed, as shown in Figure 1, the piston is retreated and draws. air into it through suitableintake port 3! and when the press opens and the toggle links H], I I- folded. upwardly, the piston is actuated, forcing air through the pipe Tl into'the diaphragm chamber 78- and actuates the diaphragm therein to operate the lever I3 to break or fold upwardly the release toggle links 44, 45. The intake port here shown is in the nature of a bleeder valve adjusted sothat when the piston 1-2 is actuated, the outlet through the port is so restricted that suilicient pressure momentarily passes tothe diaphragm chamber 18 to actuate the diaphragm. Thereafter, while the press is open and the finished work being removed from the pressing element i and new work laid thereon, the air leaks or bleeds from the cylinder H through the port B l permitting the release mechanism (levers 5i! and '33.) to return tostarting position under the infiuence of the spring, 5| and a spring 13 acting on. the lever 13.

In the general operation, the operator, after laying the garment on the lower pressing element 5 and. arranging. the neck. band or collar band the. block or form l.9., moves the handle 23 to the right fromithe position shownin Figure 3. first moving the handle 23; carrier 2!, and clamping member 22 intothe position shown. in Figure. 5, whereupon the angle is such that the spring 25 can re-act and shift the carrier 2.! and.

the clamping member 22 into the. position shown in Fig re 5. Then upon additional movement th 23 into the position shown in Figure Z, the toggle links M, 5 are moved from-the position. shown in Figures 4. and 6 to locked. position show-n in FiguregZ and 'Z. l-lhe press is then closed. When so closed, the spring 51. loaded by the straightening. of the toggle links. 44, 45 predominates over other springs, such as 25 and 62, re-acts on the carrier 2| to such an. extent as-tohold. the clamping member or loop 22 frictionally engaged with. the block. I9. or the inter- 7 posed neck band. When the to gle is released or folded, the rod 24 is pushed upward and also pulled upwardly by the springs 62, 63, Or in order to close the press, the carrier may be first shifted by force applied directly thereto and then the hand shifted to the handle 23 to move it and clamping member 22 about'the axis of the shaft 29 relative to thecarrier 2!. When the pressing operation is completed, the press is opened, and during the opening of the press, the toggle links 44, 45 are through the action of the cylinder and piston H, 12, diaphragm l9 and lever 13 again folded into the position shown in Figure 4. leaving the spring 26 free to move the loop 22 upwardlyto clear the collar block I9. In the form shown in Figure 7, the lever 64 is actuated by hand by pressing on or striking the knob 61 to fold the toggle links 44, 45. During the additional'movement of the handle 23 from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figures 2 and 7, the toggl links 44, 45 are moved to their straightened or locked position. wherein the carrier 2lis pressed by the straightened toggle and the spring compressed thereby to' the left with sufficient force to frictionally hod the loop or clamp 22 on the neck band form l9 or the interposed'neck band, so that the neck band clamp 22 can not be swung upwardly under the reactionof the springs 26, 26 63, 62 or any other force acting in opposition to the springs 5! and 25, even though th handle 23 may be swung from the position shown in Figure 7 to that shown in Figure 6 under the re-action of the springs 26, 26. The additional movement of the handle from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 7 thus straightens the locking toggle 44, 45, and this straightening action tensions the spring 5| through the movement of the member 50 by the straightened toggle. The lever 64 may be tripped by hand or by the opening movement of th press and when operated breaks or folds the toggle links 44, 45 from the position shown in Figure 7 to that shown in Figure 6. The holding' friction of the neck band clamp on the form I9 is decreased due to the folding of the toggle and the release of the spring 5! so that the springs 26, G3, 62 and are all free to re-act, and in doing so, return the carrier 2| and also the clamping member 22 to starting position.

What I claim is:

1. In a neck band clamping mechanism for garment presses including a pressing element provided with a neck band form, said mechanism including a carrier, a neck band clamping member pivoted thereto, the carrier being movable to carry the clamping member into a position over said element, a handle supported by the carrier and operable to swing the clamping member relative to the carrier into a position overreaching and spaced from the form, spring mean between the handle and the clamping member operable to yieldingly transmit the movement of the handle to the clamping member, and permit the handle to have an additional movement when the clamping member is in operative position, the clamping member being movable into frictional locking engagement with the form, returning means acting on the carrier tending to return it to starting position and cause the clamping member to move from its overreaching position into frictional coaction with the form upon. the additional movement of th handle, returning means tending to move the clamping member in a retrograde direction relative to the carrier, means operable by the additional movement of the handle to apply increased force to the carrier and hold the clamping member in frictionallylocked contact with the form, and'means operable to release the holding means.

2. In a neck band clamping mechanism for garment presses including a pressing element provided with a, neck band form, said mechanism including a carrier, a neck band clamping member pivoted thereto, the carrier being movable to carry the clamping member into a position over said element, a handle mounted on the carrier and operable to swing the clamping member about its pivot relativ to the carrier into operative position relative to the pressing element and the form and spring means between the handle and the clamping member to yieldingly transmit the movement of the handle to the clamping member and permit the handle to have an additional movement when the clamping member is in operative position, returning means acting on the carrier tending to return it to starting position, returning means tending to move the clamping member in a retrograde direction relative to the carrier, means operable by the additional movement of the handl to apply increased force to the carrier to hold the clamping member in frictional contact with the form, and means operable to release the holding means.

3. In a neck band clamping mechanism for garment presses including a pressing element provided with a neck band form, said mechanism including a swinging carrier, a neck band clamping member pivoted thereto, the carrier being movable to carry the clamping member into a position over said element, a handle supported by the carrier and operable to swing the clamping member on its pivot relative to the carrier into a position over-reaching and spaced from the form, spring means acting on the carrier tending to return it to starting position and shiftthe clamping member from its over-reaching position into coaction with the form, and spring means between the handle and the clamp'-' ing member to yieldingly transmit the movement of the handle to the clamping member, and permit the handle to have an additional movement when the clamping member is in operative position, returning means tending to move the clamping member in a retrograde direction relative to the carrier, means operable by the additional movement of the handle to apply increased force to the carrier to hold the clamping member in frictional contact with the form, and means operable to release the holding means.

4. In a neck band clamping mechanism for garment presses including a pressing element provided with a neck band form, said mechanism including a swinging carrier, a neck band clamping member pivoted thereto, the carrier being mounted to carry the clamping'member into a position over said element, a handle operable to swing the clamping member on its pivot relative to the carrier into a position over-reaching and spaced from the form, spring means acting on the carrier tending to return it to starting position and shift the clamping member from'its over-reaching position into initial coaction with the form, spring means between the handle, the carrier and the clamping member operable to return the handle about its pivot to starting position and yieldingly transmit the movement of the handle to the clamping member, and permit the handle to have an additional movement when the clamping member is in operative position, spring means controlled by the additional movemerit of the handle and acting on the carrier for holding the carrier in its position of coaction with the form, a release member carried by the carrier operable to operate the holding spring means, and an operating member for coacting therewith, motion transmitting means between the handle and th release member and operable by the additional movement of the handle to set the release member carried by the carrier in position to be operated by the operating member.

5. In a neck band clamping mechanism for garment presses including a pressing element provided with a neck band form, said mechanism including a swinging carrier, a neck band clamping member pivoted thereto, the carrier being mounted to carry the clamping member into a position over said element, a handle operable to swing the clamping member on its pivot relative to the carrier into a position over-reaching and spaced from the form, spring means acting on the carrier tending to return it to starting position and shift the clamping member from its overreaching position into coaction with the form, spring means between the handle, the carrier and the clamping member operable to return the handle about its pivot to starting position and yieldingly transmit the movement of the handle to the clamping member and permit the handle to have an additional movement when the clamping member is in operative position, a releasable locking member carried by the carrier for locking the carrier in its position of coaction with the form, and a releasing member for coacting therewith, motion transmitting means between the handle and the locking member and operable by the additional movement of the handle to set the locking member in position to be operated by the releasing member, and an abutment for coacting with the locking member on the carrier, the locking member being movable into position to coact with the abutment during the movement of the neck band clamping member from its over-reaching to its clamping position.

6. In a neck band clamping mechanism for garment presses including a pressing element provided with a neck band form, said mechanism including a swinging carrier, a neck band clamping member pivoted thereto, the carrier being mounted to carry the clamping member into a position over said element, a handle operable to swing the clamping member on its pivot relative to the carrier into a position over-reaching and spaced from the form, spring means acting on the carrier tending to return it to starting position and shift the clamping member from its over-reaching position into coaction with the form, spring means between the handle, the carrier and the clamping member operable to return the handle about its pivot to starting position and yieldingly transmit the movement of the handle to the clamping member and permit the handle to have an additional movement when the clamping member is in operative position, a pair of toggle links pivoted together and one being pivoted to the carrier at one end, motion transmitting means between the handle and the toggle links to move the same from folded to straightened position and operable by the additional movement of the handle, and a releasing member coacting with the toggle and operable to fold the toggle from straightened position.

7. In a neck band clamping mechanism for garment presses including a pressing element provided with a neck band form, said mechanism includim a swing carrier, a neck band clamping member pivoted thereto, the carrier being mounted to carry the clamping member into a position over said element, a handle operable to swing the clamping member on its pivot relative to the carrier into a position over-reaching and spaced from the form, spring means acting on the carrier tending to return it to starting position and shift the clamping member from its over-reaching position into coaction with the form, spring means between the handle, the carrier and the clamping member operable to return the handle about its pivot to starting position and yieldingly transmit the movement of the handle to the clamping member and permit the handle to have an additional movement when the clamping member is in operative position, a pair of toggle links pivoted together and one being pivoted to the carrier at one end, motion transmitting means between the handle and the toggle to move the same from folded to straightened position and operable by the additional movement of the handle, and a releasing member coacting with the toggle and operable to fold the toggle from straightened position, and an abutment device for coacting with the end of the other toggle link, the toggle being movable into position to coact with the abutment device during the shifting of the clamping member from over-reaching to operative position,

8. In a neck band clamping mechanism for garment presses including upper and lower pressing elements, the upper element having an opening and closing movement toward and from the lower, and the lower element provided with a neck band form, and actuating mechanism for opening and closing the press, a carrier, a neck band clamping member pivoted thereto, the carrier being movable to carry the clamping member into and out of position over said lower element, and a handle mounted on the carrier and operable to swing the clamping member relative to the carrier into operative position, the clamping member being movable into frictional contact with the neck band form, returning means tending to move the clamping member in a retrograde direction relative to the carrier, means operating on the carrier to hold it in operated position and hold the clamping member in holding frictional contact with the neck band block, including holding means operable by the movement of the handle into its final operated position for applying increased pressure to the carrier sufiicient to hold the clamping member in holding frictional contact with the block, and means operable by the opening movement of the press for releasing said holding means.

7 ERNEST DAVIS. 

